'Too many visitors' used to be the least of San Juan's problems

As the former owner of the Jones Family Mini Farm located in the Los Rios District in the heart of San Juan Capistrano, I feel compelled to address a few facts that have occurred over the last 33 years since we (my wife Millie and I) purchased the property now known as Zoomars Petting Zoo.

When we first approached the broker in 1979, it had been on the market for almost two years. The neighborhood included a trash truck parking facility and an auto storage yard that was used to store wrecked automobiles. In addition, there was a tree trimming company that stored their trucks and equipment. This was the neighborhood in 1979.

A number of the "historic homes" were in serious disrepair. The city went so far as to describe the area as "a ghetto." The "historic" property where the mini farm and cafe now stand had three historic structures. All were very dilapidated. The back part of the property was a storage area for hundreds of tar-covered lobster traps. The rest was weeds.

Over time, the neighborhood has evolved into a real place of interest, thanks to those brave souls who invested in the area. When Millie and I retired, we put the farm on the market. The response was amazing.

Since everyone wants to leave a legacy, we were bound to find someone who would continue to provide the benefits to the community that the mini farm presented. We found that person in Carolyn Franks, the current owner of the farm.

I'm so sorry that she has been vilified by those who cannot recognize that a dinosaur statue does not denigrate those who came before us, or their legacy. What does denigrate their legacy is to allow the neighborhood to become what it was prior to 1979.

A final note: I heard one person who spoke about the farm say that it brings too many visitors to San Juan. They need to ask themselves if the same standard applies to the Mission San Juan Capistrano, the Swallows Inn and other businesses in the community.

I know that the mini farm has never taken a cent from the city, and they should at least appreciate a business "that brings too many visitors to town."

– Gilbert Jones has lived in San Juan Capistrano with his wife Millie for 33 years.